Plan Your Destination Wedding Near Gold Coast: The Full Ancora Weddings Weekend Guide
If you’ve always imagined a destination wedding (the kind where your guests actually get a holiday out of it) but you’d rather skip the international price tag and the airport chaos, the Tweed Coast is your answer. Ancora Weddings sits 10 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, minutes from world-famous beaches and right on the water. Mediterranean-inspired food, waterfront views and a region that genuinely earns its “best-kept secret” reputation. Here’s the full weekend, from the moment you land to the post wedding day recovery.
Ancora’s reception space: Wanderer and the Wild Photography
If you’re wedding budget is not in a position to plan a Greek Island wedding, we have the next best thing right here in Australia. Inspired by the Mediterranean, Ancora is the perfect destination wedding venue for you to soak up all those dreamy, sun filled, waterside, holiday vibes. So here’s our top picks, sneaky tips and favourite places we think you would enjoy in our little coastal haven in Northern NSW.
How to get to Tweed Heads for your wedding
The easiest way in: fly into Gold Coast Airport. It’s just a 10-minute drive to Ancora. Most capital cities have direct flights, and it’s typically the quickest option for couples coming from Sydney or Melbourne. Alternatively, fly into Ballina Airport (about 1.5 hours from Sydney) and it’s a one-hour drive north up the coast. Either way, hiring a car is the move, you’ll want it for the weekend.
Where to stay near Ancora Weddings
The Tweed Heads and Coolangatta strip has seriously good accommodation, and most of it is within a 10-minute drive of Ancora. Think beachfront boutique hotels right on Coolangatta beach, stylish holiday homes that sleep the whole bridal party, and resort options for guests who want everything sorted. We’ve put together our full guide to the best accommodation near Ancora Weddings, including a couple of exclusive discounts we’ve sorted for couples.
Baye House: Photo – Figtree Wedding Photography
Pre Wedding Pamper: the best spots near Tweed Heads
To ensure maximum relaxation, lock in a pre wedding pamper with the girls. We can’t go past Kalm Springs (offering exclusive hire of this insanely gorgeous space and french champagne) and of course maximum luxe at Halcyon House Spa with sunset cocktails at Paper Daisy.
(Top Kalm Springs: Photo – Kristy Mason Photography (Bottom) Halcyon House Spa: Photo – kararosenlund.com
The night before: dinner at Lola’s Mexican Cantina
String out the wedding excitement beyond just the wedding day with a pre wedding dinner. And our sister restaurant in Casuarina is the perfect place! Enjoy all the vibrant and fresh flavours you’ve come to expect from modern Mexican food in Australia, at Lola’s Mexican Cantina. Think charred squid, crispy chicken, prawn tostados, jalapeño poppers and of course tacos galore! Sneaky tip, don’t book direct, chat to your Ancora wedding planner and they’ll sort out all the details for you, including organising your travel to and from so there’s no designated drivers required and everyone can enjoy a few margis!
Lolita’s Mexican Cantina: Photo – Kristy Mason Photography
Your wedding day at Ancora
Don’t forget to order your last minute luxe wedding essentials from local Tweed business The Whole Bride. Use our special code ANCORA for 15% off and enjoy express pick up from their Tweed warehouse.
Get married on the beach or on nearby secluded island with Tweed Eco Cruises.
Then you’re set for the best part, party into the night at our waterfront wedding haven Ancora, enjoying a Mediterranean inspired feasting menu including our signature slow cooked lamb and Byron Bay haloumi.
(Top) Lovers Rock:Photo – Figtree Wedding Photography (Bottom) Ellie + Jack: Photo – Nikolas David Photography
The morning after: where to recover on the Tweed Coast
The all important next day recovery, and what better place than the lush lawns of Husk Distillery, home of the famous Ink Gin.
Husk Distillery: Photo – Kristy Mason Photography
Start the honeymoon: Byron Bay day trips and stays
- Head back down the coast to beautiful Byron Bay to start the honeymoon. Indulge in a luxe stay at Barbara by Kinsfolk, The Bower, Crystalbrook Byron, Elements of Byron or our top pick to continue those Mediterranean holiday vibes, Raes on Wategos.
- Explorers: Go for a swim at famous Wategos beach, stroll the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk and visit the most eastern point of Australia.
- Nature lovers: Try snorkelling at Julian Rocks or kayak with dolphins.
- Adrenaline junkies: There’s no better place for skydiving or hot air ballooning.
- Foodies: Enjoy a long lunch at Frida’s Field, cocktails at The Mez Club. And dinner at Fleet, if you’re lucky to snag a booking a this exclusive 14 seater restaurant.
(Top) Raes on Wategos: Photo – thedesignfiles.net (Bottom) Fleet: Photo – delicious.com.au
If we haven’t yet convinced you with a destination wedding itinerary to make anyone swoon, than you can check out some of the dream weddings Ancora has been so lucky to host.
Or if you would like to know more about the packages Ancora offer, you can request our wedding kit here..
And finally, if you’re concerned about being too far away to come and have a look at our waterside venue in real life, we have you covered with the next best thing. A virtual tour guided by me. You’ll get to see every area of our venue and some of the surrounds like you’re actually there in person. Feel free to chat to our team if you’re curious!
